New Guinea Impatiens Plant Named &#39;SAKIMP041&#39;

ABSTRACT

An  Impatiens  plant particularly distinguished by having light purple flowers with white centers, and a compact habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Impatiens×hybrida hort.

Variety denomination:

‘SAKIMP041’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of New Guinea Impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens×hybrida hort, and referred to by the variety name ‘SAKIMP041’. ‘SAKIMP041’ originated from an interspecific hybridization in Misato, Japan between the proprietary female Impatiens line ‘H-10HA’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male Impatiens line ‘NH-214C-8HD’ (unpatented).

In August 2011, the parental lines were crossed and a population of F1 plants was created. The F1 plants were evaluated in Misato, Japan in an open-field trial. The criteria for selection included bright flower color, compact habit, and strong root system. At the completion of the trial, one single plant selection was made based on the above criteria and vegetatively propagated and designated ‘M2013-381’. From June to August 2013, the selection was evaluated in an open-field in Misato, Japan. Shoot-tip cuttings of the selection were then shipped to Salinas, Calif., where the plants were regenerated and re-evaluated for stability of traits. ‘SAKIMP041’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via shoot-tip cuttings in Salinas, Calif.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Salinas, Calif.

-   -   1. Light purple flowers with white centers; and     -   2. A compact habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This Impatiens plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's overall plant habit including form, foliage, and flowers. The photographs are of a plant grown in Salinas, Calif. under greenhouse conditions. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit of the plant grown in a pot.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the mature inflorescence of the plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘SAKIMP041’. Data was obtained from plants grown about 1 month from propagation by terminal cuttings in Salinas, Calif. under greenhouse conditions. Color references are to The Royal Horticultural Society of London color chart (R.H.S.), 4^(th) edition (2001). Anatomic labels are from The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms, by M. Hickey and C. King, Cambridge University Press.

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Balsaminaceae.         -   Botanical.—Impatiens×hybrida hort.         -   Common.—Impatiens.         -   Designation.—‘SAKIMP041’. -   Growth:     -   -   Environmental conditions for plant growth.—The terminal 1.0             to 1.5 inches of an actively growing stem was excised. The             vegetative cuttings were propagated for five to six weeks.             The base of the cuttings were dipped for 1 to 2 seconds in a             1:9 solution of DIP 'N GROW (1 solution: 9 water) root             inducing solution immediately prior to sticking into the             cell trays. Cuttings were stuck into plastic cell trays             having 98 cells, and containing a moistened peat moss-based             growing medium. The cuttings were misted with water from             overhead for 10 seconds every 30 minutes until sufficient             roots were formed. Rooted cuttings were transplanted and             grown in 20 cm diameter plastic pots in a glass greenhouse             located in Salinas, Calif. Pots contained a peat moss-based             growing medium. Soluble fertilizer containing 20% nitrogen,             10% phosphorus and 20% potassium was applied once a day or             every other day by overhead irrigation. Pots were             top-dressed with a dry, slow release fertilizer containing             20% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 18% potassium. The typical             average air temperature was 24° C. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary Impatiens line ‘H-10HA’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary Impatiens line ‘NC-214C-8HD’             (unpatented). -   Plant description:     -   -   Habit.—Compact.         -   Height.—17.5 cm from the soil line to the top of the             foliage.         -   Spread.—26.0 cm.         -   Number of branches per plant.—11 total with 10 main             branches.         -   Length of branches.—1.5 cm from the soil line to the first             node, 7.5 cm total.         -   Diameter of branches.—2.0 cm for the main branch; 0.7 cm to             1.0 cm for the other secondary branches.         -   Color of branches.—RHS 146A (Yellow).         -   Life cycle.—Annual.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 4 weeks.         -   Time to bloom from propagation.—6 to 8 weeks.         -   Flowering requirements.—Will flower so long as the             temperature is above 5° C.         -   Temperature tolerances.—Plants observed to continue             flowering in a temperature range of 5° C. to 36° C. -   Stems:     -   -   Color.—Closest to RHS 146C (Yellow-green).         -   Anthocyanin color.—Absent.         -   Pubescence.—Absent.         -   Description.—Strong; circular in cross-section, smooth and             shiny.         -   Length.—3.0 cm to 5.0 cm from the first node to the second             node; 7.5 cm to 10.0 cm total.         -   Diameter.—5.0 mm.         -   Internode length.—2.0 cm. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled with up to 5 leaves per node, opposite             if only two leaves at one node.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate, curled.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Shortly attenuate.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Surface appearance.—Dull, waxy.         -   Length.—5.4 cm.         -   Width.—2.5 cm.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 139A (Green) Lower surface: RHS             147B (Yellow-green).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Pubescence.—Absent.         -   Petiole.—Length: 6.0 mm Diameter: 3.0 mm Color: Closest to             RHS 145C (Yellow-green) Texture: Smooth, glabrous.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 145D (Yellow-green) Lower             surface: Closest to RHS 138B (Green). -   Flowers:     -   -   Number of flowers per node.—1 to 3 in bloom at one time;             about 10 flower buds.         -   Number of flowers per plant.—Approximately 65 in bloom.         -   Lastingness of individual flowers on the plant.—14 days.         -   Flower type.—Single flower with spur.         -   Fragrance.—Absent. -   Corolla:     -   -   Shape.—Roughly circular with 5 radial petals.         -   Diameter.—5.5 cm.         -   Depth.—1.0 cm.         -   Petals.—Pubescence (both surfaces): Glabrous Length: 3.2 cm             Width: 2.8 cm Shape: Obcordate Apex: Emarginate (cleaved)             Base: Attenuate Margin: Entire Color: Upper surface: Closest             to RHS N78 (Purple) Lower surface: Closest to RHS 77D             (Purple) Eye zone: RHS 155C (White). -   Calyx:     -   -   Sepals.—Shape: Lanceolate Number per flower: 2 Color: Upper             surface: Closest to RHS 145A (Yellow-green) with slight RHS             145D (Yellow-green) at the base and RHS 144B (Yellow-green)             at the tip Lower surface: RHS 145C (Yellow-green) with             slight RHS 145D (Yellow-green) at the base and RHS 144B             (Yellow-green at the tip) Length: 1.3 cm Width: 6.0 mm Apex:             Caudate Base: Subcordate Margin: Entire Texture (both             surfaces): Glabrous. -   Bud:     -   -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.         -   Length.—1.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Deltoid longitudinal in cross-section.         -   Color.—Closest to RHS N74D (Red-purple) with RHS 144B             (Yellow-green) at the edge. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—2.9 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 145B (Yellow-green) with slight RHS 145A             (Yellow-green) at either end.         -   Diameter.—2.0 mm.         -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous. -   Spur:     -   -   Color.—Closest to RHS 157B (Green-white) with slight RHS             N144C (Yellow-green) at the tip and the base. Also slight             RHS 77 (Purple) at the base.         -   Shape.—Tubular, curved downward.         -   Length.—5.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamen form.—Fused, split into 4 lobes.         -   Stamen number.—5.         -   Filament form.—Free.         -   Anther length.—6.0 mm.         -   Anther color.—Closest to RHS 70B but transparent.         -   Pistil number.—1.         -   Stigma color.—Closest to RHS 145D (Yellow-green).         -   Style color.—RHS 144A (Yellow-green).         -   Ovary arrangement.—Parietal.         -   Ovary interior color.—RHS 145B (Yellow-green).         -   Pollen amount.—Abundant.         -   Pollen color.—RHS 158B (Yellow-white).         -   Pollen description.—Powdery.         -   Seed production.—Not observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or     susceptibility observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND COMMERCIAL VARIETY

‘SAKIMP041’ is distinguished from its parents as shown in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Female Parent Male Parent Characteristic ‘SAKIMP041’ ‘H-10HA’ ‘NH-214C-8HD’ Flower color Orchid White Orchid but more (light purple) pink Plant growth Compact More compact than More vigorous than habit ‘SAKIMP041’ ‘SAKIMP041’

When ‘SAKIMP041’ compared to the commercial Impatiens variety ‘SAKIMP006’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,501), the following differences are as described in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Characteristic ‘SAKIMP041’ ‘SAKIMP006’ Growth habit Compact Vigorous Petal color, Closest to RHS N78 (Purple) RHS N74B (Red-purple) upper surface Spur color Closest to RHS 157B (Green- Greyed-purple white) with slight RHS N144C (Yellow-green) at the tip and the base. Also slight RHS 77 (Purple) at the base. Bud color Closest to RHS N74D (Red- RHS N74C (Red-purple) purple) with RHS 144B with RHS 185B (Greyed- (Yellow-green) at the edge purple) at the edge 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘SAKIMP041’ as described and illustrated herein. 